Close friends of mine know I have always been very passionate about baking. One of my very first business endeavors after graduating college was baking my famous biscotti (Auntie Tammy’s Biscotti) and selling it at local cafes in Marin County.

Fast forward 27 years and now many of my followers want to know what I use in my own kitchen, which items I am confident are lead-free and/or safe for my family. I have tested all of my personal cooking implements with an XRF and know for a fact that they are lead-free. For those who are interested in using things that are either the same or similar to what I use in my kitchen here’s a short list to start… I will add to it later. (Links and pictures are clickable to Amazon if you are interested in purchasing any of these things!)

With most of these items in my home I stick with the “simple is usually better” philosophy. Instead of your home decoration coming from bright paints and glazes (often full of lead, cadmium, arsenic and other toxic stuff) the beauty in your home can come from the simplicity or your kitchen not from decorations on your cookware, with the color and excitement provided by the food not the dishes! [Bonus! The simpler things are often less expensive too! So better for your health and your wallet!]

Some of the links on this page may be Amazon affiliate links where a purchase made
after clicking will result in a small commission for me without costing you extra!

MUST HAVE!! Simple unadorned cast iron!
I have my grandmother’s and great-aunts…
but if you don’t have heirloom cast iron you can always buy new!

THINGS I AVOID (Unless I have already tested them.)

Anything with any kind of painted decoration including clear glass with painted markings.

Any glazed ceramics.

Most plastic (when possible.)

Cast iron with ANY coatings (colorants, non-stick, etc.)

As always, please let me know if you have any questions!

Tamara Rubin
Mother of Lead Poisoned Children
Unexpected Lead Expert

Affiliate link disclosure:If you choose to purchase any items after clicking the Amazon links above, Amazon pays me a small kick back as a thank you for sending business their way.It doesn’t cost you anything extra and helps support this website, allowing me to keep sharing information about childhood lead poisoning prevention (as well as making it possible for me to keep sharing about safe products for your home and family) ... Sharing this information in turn helps families everywhere protect their children from potential environmental toxicity in their homes. I only link to products that are the same as (or very similar to) ones that I either have direct personal experience with in my home or that I have personally tested with an XRF Instrument and found to be lead-safe or lead-free. December 2016

36 Responses to Baking Lead-Free This Holiday Season!

Hello Tamara,
Thank you for this list; I find it not only helpful for myself but as I am becoming more aware of lead in my kitchen items, I share your information with friends and family. Have you had the opportunity to test Emile Henry bakeware and pie plates – specifically the glazed designs produced exclusively for Williams Sonoma (which differ from their main line)? Have you also had an opportunity to test Le Creuset cast iron pots? Le Creuset has that cream color enamel over the cast iron. Staub cast iron cookware is black but I’m unsure if they coat it and I was wondering if you might know. Thank you for your time and all of your efforts!

Are these the ones in your home? Were you able to test this types/brands/variations specifically? I wanted to replace my metal measuring spoons bc I’m unsure of what metal they are. I know a solid piece of steel is what we want so there is in introduction of other metal combinations, I would think the above are but I could always check and return if not.

I use most of what you have listed here. I have also changed some of my purchases due to this blog. Thank you. But I do like Le Creuset and am considering buying a Dutch oven. Have you specifically tested this brand? They claim to be lead free.

Staub is a much better product. Also is made all in France unlike Le Creuset which some are glazed and now made in China. Which makes me even question their French made items. What other short cuts are they doing.

The best is good ole fashioned cast iron. Cheap, safe, durable & will last generations. If seasoned properly will be non-stick. It’s my favorite but I do have some Staub cookware as well.

Hi there, I noticed you listed the beater blade for a kitchenaid, which you said has lead,but you also listed it with the items you would suggest owning. I just want to make sure I understand, because I was just given a stand mixer, and I`m wondering about that blade….are you suggesting that it is not safe to use or that you would recommend it? Any more detail would be greatly appreciated!

Hello Tamara,
I hope this post finds you well. Have you had an opportunity to test the Emile Henry pie dishes and bakers exclusive to Williams Sonoma? I’m also looking forward to your post on Le Creuset and hope you will also test Staub. Thank you and happy holiday baking!

Hello Tamara, thanks for all your work and information. I am so glad I found your blog as we are going through difficult times like many people:( . Have you found anything in your archives about Ikea silicon bakeware?

I think bamboo is generally a good choice. It’s not as sustainable as some people think (because it is usually shipped from pretty far away) – but we have a few bamboo pieces in our home. You have to make sure it is a good company that doesn’t use toxic glues and that sort of thing. There is a company that has organic bamboo products, that’s probably a good place to start.

My husband wants to buy the tefal cookware that is non stick but says PFOA-, Lead-, and Cadmium-free But I’m a little skeptical ….I was wondering if you knew this brand a bit more and if it’s a no-no despite the brand stating there free for all those things p.s. sorry to bug but I’m moving in to my house in a couple of days and I want to make I get the best for my little girl. If you can email me sandrahoang1994@gmail.com thank you

What cookware do you use in your home? My grandson is autistic and his aluminum levels are high. Trying to find cookware that would be better for him. Was leaning toward the Mercola or Xtrema brands. Now I read about the lead in the label. What to do???

Shiela all vaccines are loaded with aluminum. If you vaccinate, please check out FB for vaccine information groups,they will provide the links into the CDC with the ingredients in the vaccines. Hope this will help.

I am looking for a counter top mixer. I was seriously thinking about a KitchenAid Lift until I read about the lead content in the attachments.
What brand would be a safe lead-free purchase?
Should I buy the KitchenAid and then purchase lead free attachments, if they are available?

Personally I love the appliance and am looking forward to buying (and testing) the new stainless attachments. If someone could buy them and send them to me I would test them for free and send them back to the purchaser (just so I could do a blog post.) I think they carry them on the Williams Sonoma website still for about $79.00 for the set of three (link in the post above should still be accurate.)

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OMG! After seeing MisLEAD, I got serious goosebumps listening to the Moms. The moms hit my heart; the men hit my logical brain. You captured me again - heart and soul. I am so blessed to have you and your passion in my life.

Catherine, Virginia

It takes people like this organization to create a mass movement towards a safer, healthier world for us. Amazing work! Looking forward to seeing and hearing more and spreading the message.

Bracha, Los Angeles

I am so thankful for what you are doing. Even if J. turns out to not have elevated levels, just knowing you will save some kids really helps me get through this fear.

Karli K., Oregon

Thank you so much Tamara Rubin for the lead test kits you sent me a while back! I owe you big time!! Tonight we went through my grandmothers costume jewelry and found a ton that tested positive for lead. E wanted several pieces and since they were crystal I decided to test.